Autism Ontario is inviting nominations for The David Conforti – Reach for the Stars Award, established in April 2018 to acknowledge persons with Autism who volunteer in their communities.

The award is named in memory of David Conforti, a remarkable and caring young man who made a difference in his community and inspired others through his volunteer work in York Region. His family has described him as someone who never thought of his autism as a barrier throughout his life; to him, autism is “a difference that makes us who we are.” David’s contributions directly challenged stereotypes associated with autism as he became a confident self-advocate, even reaching out to encourage other peers to work through their anxieties about getting involved and connecting to others whenever possible.

In order to recognize the importance that volunteering had on David’s life, and to further encourage and recognize volunteerism with community impact among other people with autism, his family, together with the Autism Ontario – York Region Chapter, created The David Conforti - Reach for the Stars Award, as a lasting tribute to David Conforti. Sadly, David passed away in 2017.